Bobcats Fall Short in Extras

Photo from Fannin County Baseball Facebook page

The Bobcats fell to the Rebels 2-0 in 8 innings on Monday night thanks to lights-out pitching by the Rebels. Both pitching staffs looked to be in midseason form which is a promising sign for both clubs going forward. Gilmer pitchers combined for 14 strikeouts while Fannin pitchers combined to throw 16 strikeouts. There was a total of seven hits in this one. Unfortunately for the Bobcats, Carter Jones struggled to find the strike zone in the top of the 8th allowing 3 crucial walks and the only two runs being scored. Jones walked Bryce Burnette with the bases loaded and Christian Beavers scored the games first run. An error by Cooper Cochran led to the other Fannin run.

Team Notes

Gavin Davis looked elite on the mound in this one going 5 1/3 allowing just three hits ad three walks, while striking out nine Bobcats. Connor Martin (W) and Gaige Foster (SV) combined to go 2 2/3 with seven strikeouts in relief. The Rebels showcased some good plate discipline throughout the game, but came up big with three game altering walks in the top of the 8th. Fannin drew nine walks in this one with Burnette recording the teams only RBI on the bases loaded walk. Clay Heaton reached on the error at 2nd base by Cochran and Bristol Hughes came across to score as a result to make it 2-0. After two walks to start the bottom of the 8th by Martin, Foster came in and only needed 10 pitches to strike out the only three Bobcats he faced to end the game and earning the save.

As for the Bobcats, the offense was nonexistent, but the pitching was incredible. Austin Zabala led Gilmer with two hits and two walks as he reached base with each AB. Carter Jones recorded the only other hit by the Bobcats. Starting Pitcher Ethan McCollum looked good in this one going four innings allowing just one hit and two walks while recording eight strikeouts. Jones would come in relief for McCollum, but never found the consistency he hoped for. Carter allowed two runs on three hits and seven walks in 3 2/3 innings and was the losing pitcher in this one.